What a Certified Laboratory Test for pH Reports and How to Read It
Certified laboratory testing of water for pH provides a numeric measurement called the pH value, expressed in standard units. This test evaluates how acidic or alkaline water is on a scale from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral. Values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are alkaline. A lab report will present this precise number for your water sample, which indicates potential effects on taste, corrosion, or staining.
Why Aesthetic Secondary Standards Differ from Health-Based Limits for pH
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a secondary standard for pH in drinking water, ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 standard units. This standard is based on aesthetic concerns such as water taste and the potential for corrosion that can damage plumbing or fixtures but is not a health-based limit. Water with pH below 6.5 is considered acidic and may contribute to metal leaching from pipes, yet it is not classified as unsafe by federal health criteria.
What to Write Down Before Requesting Treatment Advice
Before seeking treatment recommendations, record information including:
- The exact pH value from a certified lab test of your home's water
- Details about your household water use, such as daily gallons consumed
- Any symptoms noticed in plumbing or water appearance that may suggest acidity
- The depth and source type of your well or municipal supply, if known
Note that regional data provides context but individual water testing is essential to tailor solutions properly.
What Happens When Low-pH Water Is Left Untreated for Years
Water consistently below the EPA secondary standard (under 6.5 pH) can cause gradual effects such as increased corrosion of household pipes and fixtures, which may result in staining, metallic tastes, and diminished lifespan of plumbing components. Without addressing low pH, these issues often persist and can escalate maintenance needs, but do not inherently pose a health risk according to regulatory criteria.
A Worked Example: Reading the Aquifer's Median and Range as a Homeowner
According to U.S. Geological Survey groundwater sampling for Bernalillo County's S100RIOGRD aquifer, 82 samples from 41 wells collected between 2017 and 2018 show a median pH of 7.7 and a range from 6.5 to 8.3 standard units. None of the samples fell below 6.5, the EPA secondary threshold for acidity concerns. This suggests that acidic water is not generally detected in this aquifer at a level triggering the aesthetic standard, but individual wells might differ. Your own water's pH can only be confirmed through specific lab testing of your water supply.
How to Judge Treatment Capacity Against Your Household's Daily Demand
Effective treatment to manage acidic water requires selecting a system sized appropriately for your household’s daily water volume. Calculating usage from routine activities—such as showers, cooking, and laundry—provides the basis to choose equipment that handles your flow without compromise. Estimating daily gallons used ensures the system operates efficiently and consistently, avoiding treatment shortfalls.
For households in Bernalillo County experiencing issues from acidic water after equipment failure, the C-Series Acidic / Low-pH Water Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to address the challenge with capacities aligned to residential use. This solution can help moderate acidity effects when matched to your household’s water demand following an accurate pH test.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2018-11-29. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of pH in the S100RIOGRD aquifer (Bernalillo County): 82 results from 41 wells, median 7.7 standard units, range 6.5-8.3 standard units; EPA secondary standard for pH is 6.5-8.5 (aesthetic/corrosivity, not health-based); 0 of 82 sampled results fell below 6.5